Tensions were running high even before Zuma arrived when guests discovered there was no mobile phone reception inside the chamber, prompting journalists and rowdy lawmakers to chant: „Bring back the signal!“.

The signal was restored by the time Zuma began speaking, but the incident revived public concern that the ANC wants to chill dissent and the DA said it had asked the Independent Communications Authority for an inquiry into „an orchestrated strategy“ to stop the public seeing what happened in parliament.